NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court ." Although it is posted on the internet, this opinion is binding only on the parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R. 1:36-3.
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY APPELLATE DIVISION DOCKET NO. A-0285-23
IN RE JOHNSON DEVELOPMENT ASSOC. INC., PI 1112-04-0011.1, LUP220003. ______________________________
Argued February 12, 2025 – Decided March 12, 2025
Before Judges Mayer, Rose and DeAlmeida.
On appeal from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
C. Michael Gan argued the cause for appellant The Alliance for Sustainable Communities (Lieberman Blecher & Sinkevich, PC, attorneys; Stuart J. Lieberman, of counsel and on the briefs; C. Michael Gan, on the briefs).
Niall J. O'Brien argued the cause for respondent Johnson Development Associates, Inc. (Archer & Greiner, PC, attorneys; Robert W. Bucknam, Jr., of counsel and on the brief; Niall J. O'Brien and Jamie A. Slimm, on the brief).
Jason T. Stypinski, Deputy Attorney General, argued the cause for respondent New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (Matthew J. Platkin, Attorney General, attorney; Melissa H. Raksa, Assistant Attorney General, of counsel; Jason T. Stypinski, Deputy Attorney General, on the brief).
PER CURIAM
Appellant The Alliance for Sustainable Communities (Alliance) appeals
an August 14, 2023 flood hazard permit issued by respondent New Jersey
Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to co-respondent Johnson
Development Associates, Inc. (Johnson). We affirm.
Johnson sought to construct two warehouse buildings with parking, access
roads, and stormwater management facilities (Project) at property located in
Robbinsville Township (Property). The Property, consisting of ninety acres of
land, is partially developed with an existing office building, loop road, and two
stormwater management basins. These features were constructed pursuant to a
prior development approval for the Property. Additionally, the Property has
several unnamed tributaries feeding into the Indian Run Creek.
Because demand for new office space decreased, Johnson applied for a
use variance to construct the proposed warehouses.1 The Robbinsville Township
1 The Property's history and variance approval are detailed in Alliance for Sustainable Communities v. Robbinsville Twp. Zoning Bd., No. A-2509-21 (App. Div. July 25, 2024). A-0285-23 2 Zoning Board (Board) granted a use variance, allowing Johnson to construct the
warehouses. We upheld the Board's approval of the use variance.
The Project is subject to flood hazard and stormwater review by NJDEP.
Specifically, the Project required a Flood Hazard Area Verification and Flood
Hazard Area Individual Permit (Permit) under the Flood Hazard Area Control
Act (FHACA), N.J.S.A. 58:16A-50 to -103, and the Flood Hazard Area Control
Act Rules (Rules), N.J.A.C. 7:13-1 to -24.11.
NJDEP issued a February 18, 2021 Letter of Interpretation (LOI) defining
the limits of wetlands on the Property. The LOI classified the Property's existing
wetlands as having either ordinary or intermediate resource value. 2
On June 2, 2022, Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, Inc.
(Langan), on Johnson's behalf, filed a Permit application with NJDEP. Two
weeks later, Alliance wrote to NJDEP objecting to the application and
requesting NJDEP rescind its LOI categorizing the wetlands on the Property.
Alliance included an engineering report from Princeton Hydro with its objection
letter. According to Alliance, the existing large retaining pond on the Property
2 Under the Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act, N.J.S.A. 13:9B-1 to -30, there are three classifications of wetlands: exceptional resource value, intermediate resource value, and ordinary resource value. N.J.S.A. 13:9B-7. The statute defines the characteristics associated with each classification of wetlands. A-0285-23 3 was misclassified as a wet detention basin and two of the wetlands delineated as
having ordinary resource value according to the LOI should have been
designated as wetlands having intermediate resource value. Alliance also
claimed various wildlife inhabited the Property, specifically the bald eagle,
qualifying the surrounding wetlands as a habitat for threatened or endangered
species.
In its report, Princeton Hydro challenged the sufficiency of the stormwater
management controls on the Property. The report also characterized the
Property's wetlands as a critical habitat for the bald eagle and other wildlife.
The FHACA authorizes NJDEP to "adopt land use regulations for the
flood hazard area, to control stream encroachments," and "to integrate the flood
control activities of the municipal, county, State and Federal Governments ."
N.J.S.A. 58:16A-50. Pursuant to that authority, NJDEP promulgated the Rules,
which are rules and regulations for obtaining construction permits in flood
hazard areas and within, along, or around regulated waters. See N.J.A.C. 7:13-
1 to -24.11.
Additionally, NJDEP is delegated "the authority to regulate storm water
management" under the Storm Water Management Act (SMA), N.J.S.A.
40:55D-93 to -99. In re Stormwater Mgmt. Rules, 384 N.J. Super. 451, 454
A-0285-23 4 (App. Div. 2006) (quoting N.J. State League of Muns. v. Dep't of Cmty. Affs.,
310 N.J. Super. 224, 240 (App. Div. 1998), aff’d, 158 N.J. 211 (1999)). NJDEP
regulates storm water management via the Stormwater Management Rules
(Stormwater Rules) N.J.A.C. 7:8-1.1 to 6.3. See In re Stormwater Mgmt. Rules,
384 N.J. Super. at 454. NJDEP's management of stormwater issues includes
stormwater runoff that may collect pollutants from the land surface, creating
problems related to water quality and quantity. NJDEP also reviews stormwater
management measures designed "to control or reduce stormwater runoff and
associated pollutants." N.J.A.C. 7:8-1.2.
As part of its stormwater management authority and oversight, NJDEP
considers the natural features of the land as well as the specific features
associated with the actual construction of the proposed development project.
NJDEP employs the New Jersey Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP)
Manual in reviewing stormwater management matters. 3 The BMP Manual
3 The BMP Manual provides guidance for achieving stormwater management compliance. N.J. Dep't of Env't Prot., N.J. Stormwater Best Mgmt. Pracs. Manual, Post-Constr. Stormwater Mgmt. (N.J.A.C. 7:8) https://dep.nj.gov/stormwater/bmp-manual (Oct. 9, 2024). The BMP Manual expressly allows "[a]n alternative stormwater management measure, alternative removal rate, and/or alternative method to calculate the removal rate may be used if the design engineer demonstrates the capability of the proposed alternative stormwater management measure and/or the validity of the alternative rate or method to the review agency." N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.2(g). A-0285-23 5 provides recommendations, not requirements. See In re Stormwater Mgmt.
Rules, 384 N.J. Super. at 457; N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.9. Alliance erroneously asserts
the BMP Manual imposes specific requirements rather than recommendations
and technical guidance.
Langan proposed several stormwater management control measures for
the Project and the Property in accordance with the FHACA, the SMA, the
Rules, and the Stormwater Rules. The measures for stormwater control at the
Property included bioretention basins, infiltration basins, a grass swale,
manufactured treatment devices (MTDs), and modifications to existing Basins
2 and 3.
Throughout the Permit application process, Langan addressed each
deficiency raised by NJDEP and revised the Permit application accordingly.
With each revision to the application, Alliance filed supplemental public
comments and submitted additional reports from Princeton Hydro objecting to
NJDEP's issuance of the Permit and maintaining the stormwater management
designs remained flawed.
On February 8, 2023, Langan advised NJDEP that the Permit application
was revised "to include infiltration features decreasing post-development
stormwater volume release" and affirmed the calculations were made using "the
A-0285-23 6 base [Natural Resources Conservation Service] soil conditions." Langan also
confirmed "[c]ompliance with small[-]scale and large[-]scale BMP features
ha[d] not significantly changed" after its latest revisions to the Property's
stormwater management controls.
In February 2023, an Alliance member expressed concern that NJDEP was
not using updated databases regarding bird sightings. The member asserted a
bald eagle was sighted within a mile of the Property.
In April 2023, Langan again revised the Permit application. In a letter to
NJDEP enclosing the revised application, Langan explained the "site provide[d]
stormwater attenuation, water quality compliance and groundwater recharge
compliance." Langan also advised "[a]djustments to these features were
previously reviewed without further comment" by NJDEP. The letter noted the
"elimination of a proposed stormwater outfall into a center wetland complex"
and use of the "existing storm network and outfalls" would "decreas[e] wetland
and transition area disturbances."
Alliance submitted a letter to NJDEP in response to the revised Permit
application. The letter enclosed an updated report from Princeton Hydro based
on its review of the revised application. Alliance renewed its objection to the
Project's stormwater management plan. Princeton Hydro's report repeated
A-0285-23 7 concerns regarding the stormwater management proposal, including the use of
MTDs and importing new soil to facilitate groundwater recharge. According to
Princeton Hydro, the imported soil would not solve the groundwater recharge
issues and would continue to create a "bottleneck" because the existing native
soil would drain more slowly than the imported soil. Additionally, Princeton
Hydro questioned peak flow rate calculations included with Johnson's revised
Permit application.
On August 10, 2023, NJDEP issued a certificate enlarging the Property's
existing conservation easement and establishing a new and separate
conservation easement covering "19.75 additional acres of freshwater wetlands,
State open waters, and transition areas." In conjunction with this decision,
NJDEP submitted a supplemental memo addressing some of the public
comments in opposition to the Permit application.
Regarding the presence of wildlife on the Property, a research scientist
with NJDEP stated there was no basis for upgrading the wetlands resource value
because the Property was not located in any relevant bald eagle nest buffer zones
and the size of the wetlands on the Property was not suitable to accommodate a
bald eagle habitat. NJDEP's research scientist reached the same conclusion
regarding other bird species allegedly inhabiting the Property. She further
A-0285-23 8 explained there was no need to undertake a two-year wildlife study based on the
limited habitat availability associated with the Property's wetlands.
On August 10, 2023, NJDEP advised Johnson the Permit application was
under review and asked Langan to resubmit certain documents. In requesting
the documents, NJDEP accepted Langan's explanation that the design of the
constructed wetlands basin was not a "forebay."4 Further, NJDEP informed
Langan that its description of the flow path through the wetlands basin alleviated
NJDEP's remaining concerns.
On August 14, 2023, NJDEP approved the Permit. NJDEP concluded the
Project met "the requirements of the Stormwater Management [R]ules at
N.J.A.C. 7:8." Further, NJDEP stated Johnson "must adhere to the operations
and maintenance plan for the stormwater management measures incorporated
into the design . . . in accordance with N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.8." Additionally, NJDEP
notified Johnson that the "[g]uidance set forth in the [BMP] Manual should be
followed to the maximum extent practicable." Alliance appealed NJDEP's
issuance of the Permit.
4 A "forebay" is an artificial pool of water located in front of a larger body of water. Forebays are often used to allow sediment and solids to settle out from stormwater runoff. See BMP Manual, Chapter 9. A-0285-23 9 On appeal, Alliance argues NJDEP's approval of the Permit was arbitrary,
capricious, and unreasonable. Further, Alliance contends the Property's
stormwater management system does not comport with the applicable statutes
and regulations. Additionally, it claims NJDEP failed to address substantive
issues raised through public comment and consider the impacts to endangered
or threatened species on the Property. We reject these arguments.
I.
We first consider Alliance's argument the Permit should be rescinded
because the Property's stormwater management system does not meet the
FHACA, the SMA, the Stormwater Rules, and the Rules. Specifically, Alliance
contends the approved Permit did not meet the water quality standards due to
the configuration of the proposed stormwater management systems combined
with the use of MTDs. Alliance further claims the approved Permit lacked
sufficient groundwater recharge under BMP's standards. Alliance also asserts
the approved Permit failed to comply with the BMP's peak flow requirement
calculations. Therefore, Alliance asserts NJDEP erred in issuing the Permit.
"The scope of review of an administrative agency determination is
limited." Del. Riverkeeper Network v. N.J. Dep't of Env't Prot., 463 N.J. Super.
96, 112 (App. Div. 2020). On appeal, we "will not reverse the agency's decision
A-0285-23 10 unless: (1) it was arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable; (2) it violated express
or implied legislative policies; (3) it offended the State or Federal Constitution;
or (4) the findings on which it was based were not supported by substantial,
credible evidence in the record." N.J. Highlands Coal. v. N.J. Dep't of Env't
Prot., 456 N.J. Super. 590, 602-03 (App. Div. 2017), aff'd as modified, 236 N.J.
208 (2018).
"The party who challenges [NJ]DEP's decision to permit development of
a certain location has the 'burden of demonstrating, not that the agencies' action
was merely erroneous, but that it was arbitrary.'" Id. at 603 (quoting In re Stream
Encroachment Permit, Permit No. 0200-04-0002.1 FHA, 402 N.J. Super. 587,
597 (App. Div. 2008)). We accord "traditional deference to an agency's
specialized expertise[, which] is even stronger when the agency, like [NJ]DEP
in regard to wetlands, has been delegated discretion to determine the specialized
and technical procedures for its tasks." In re Thomas Orban/Square Props., LLC,
461 N.J. Super. 57, 72 (App. Div. 2019) (internal citations and quotation marks
omitted).
We recognize the role "that administrative expertise can play in the
rendering of a sound administrative determination." In re the Proposed Quest
Acad. Charter Sch. of Montclair Founders Grp., 216 N.J. 370, 389 (2013).
A-0285-23 11 "Where an agency's expertise is a factor, a court defers to that expertise,
particularly in cases involving technical matters within the agency's special
competence." In re Adoption of Amends. to the Ne., Upper Raritan, Sussex
Cnty. & Upper Del. Water Quality Mgmt. Plans, 435 N.J. Super. 571, 583 (App
Div. 2014) (citing In re Freshwater Wetlands Prot. Act Rules, 180 N.J. 478, 488-
89 (2004)). "[J]udicial deference to administrative agencies stems from the
recognition that agencies have the specialized expertise necessary to . . . deal[]
with technical matters and are 'particularly well equipped to read and understand
the massive documents and to evaluate the factual and technical issues . . . .'"
Ibid. (alterations in original) (quoting N.J. State League of Muns. v. Dep't of
Cmty. Affs., 158 N.J. 211, 222 (1999)).
We "extend substantial deference to an agency's interpretation of its own
regulations, reasoning that 'the agency that drafted and promulgated the rule
should know the meaning of that rule.'" Thomas Orban, 461 N.J. Super. at 72
(quoting In re Freshwater Wetlands Gen. Permit No. 16, 379 N.J. Super. 331,
341-42 (App. Div. 2005)). "[B]ecause a permitting decision by [NJDEP] is a
quasi-judicial determination, reasoned fact-finding is essential." Ibid. As such,
a permitting decision "must set forth basic findings of fact, supported by the
evidence and supporting the ultimate conclusions and final determination, for
A-0285-23 12 the . . . purpose of informing the . . . parties and any reviewing tribunal . . . so
that it may be readily determined whether the result is sufficiently and soundly
grounded." Musconetcong Watershed Ass'n v. N.J. Dep't of Env't Prot., 476
N.J. Super. 465, 488 (App. Div. 2023) (quoting In re the Application for Med.
Marijuana Alt. Treatment Ctr. for Pangaea Health & Wellness, LLC, 465 N.J.
Super. 343, 375 (App. Div. 2020)).
Here, there is substantial credible evidence in the record supporting
NJDEP's issuance of the Permit. As the agency tasked with regulating
stormwater management controls in this State, NJDEP reviewed all aspects of
the application in detail, frequently requesting Johnson's engineers submit
revised information on numerous technical issues and stormwater control
features to ensure compliance with FHACA, the SMA, and Stormwater Rules.
Prior to approving the Permit, NJDEP addressed comments advanced by
members of the public, including Alliance and Princeton Hydro. NJDEP
determined the application met all stormwater management statutes and rules.
The concerns regarding the Indian Run Creek and its tributaries were
incorporated in NJDEP's thorough review of the Permit application. Based on
its detailed review of voluminous documents, calculations, and maps provided
by Langan and Princeton Hydro, NJDEP concluded stormwater runoff from the
A-0285-23 13 Property would drain appropriately under the proposed stormwater management
plan and would not adversely affect adjacent properties.
Additionally, NJDEP expressly concluded the Permit application
complied with "flood storage volume requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:13-11.4";
complied with "N.J.A.C. 7:13-12.1, as the proposed [P]roject is not likely to
cause significant and adverse effects on water quality or supply, aquatic biota,
flooding, drainage, channel stability, threatened or endangered species or their
current or documented historic habitats, navigation, energy production , or
fishery resources"; and complied with stormwater regulations.
Specifically, NJDEP approved the use of "the Delmarva unit hydrograph,"
"NOAA's Type C rainfall distribution," and "hydrologic soil groups . . .
consistent with the USDA Web Soil Survey" as part of the stormwater
management calculations. NJDEP's final report concluded:
As can be seen in detail in the Green Infrastructure [5] section of this report below, several stormwater management [BMPs] are proposed. These consist of two constructed wetlands basins (to replace the incomplete stormwater management basins already onsite), five bioretention basins, 20 green infrastructure [MTDs], and nine infiltration basins.
5 Green infrastructure uses natural systems to improve water quality, mitigate flooding, and reduce stormwater runoff. See U.S. Env't Prot. Agency, Green Infrastructure, www/epa.gov/green-infrastructure (Feb. 15, 2025). A-0285-23 14 Natural features on the site have been preserved to the maximum extent practicable. The applicant has submitted an adequate operations and maintenance manual. Furthermore, the geotechnical investigation accompanying the application is consistent with Chapter 12 of the BMP Manual. All of the necessary BMPs will have adequate separation from the seasonal high groundwater table and appropriate mounding analyses were performed for infiltrating BMPs.
NJDEP squarely addressed the contentions in Princeton Hydro's reports
that the Project's proposed stormwater management system was deficient. After
considering statements by Princeton Hydro concerning the stormwater
management plan, NJDEP declared "all applicable requirements of N.J.A.C. 7:8
Stormwater Management [R]ules (last amended March 2, 2021) were met,
including stormwater quantity, quality, and groundwater recharge as well as the
newly implemented Green Infrastructure elements." NJDEP also addressed
Princeton Hydro's concern regarding inundation of the "forebay." It explained
"[t]he forebay is actually not the forebay but it is lower marsh area of the
constructed wetlands basin. Because there is no requirement for a constructed
wetlands basin to be elevated above the seasonal high[-]water table and instead
it is fed by groundwater, this concern [was] alleviated."
Having reviewed the record, we are satisfied there was sufficient credible
evidence for NJDEP's issuance of the Permit. The record clearly demonstrated
A-0285-23 15 the application process was thorough, and incorporated feedback from
departments within NJDEP, such as the New Jersey Historic Preservation
Office, as well as outside groups, such as Alliance and other concerned members
of the public. Johnson and Langan meaningfully and comprehensively
responded to comments raised by NJDEP and the public. NJDEP's report, issued
in conjunction with the approved Permit, evidenced the agency's satisfaction
with all aspects of the application.
Further, we are satisfied NJDEP acted within its mandate under FHACA,
the SMA, the Rules, and Stormwater Rules by regulating the development of the
Property within a flood hazard area. Under our well-settled standard of review,
deferring to an agency's expertise regarding hydrogeologic tables, flow
calculations, soil samples, and stormwater system design, NJDEP's issuance of
the Permit was not arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable.
While Alliance and Princeton Hydro may disagree with NJDEP's decision
to issue the Permit, the agency's highly specialized expertise in stormwater
management control is beyond debate. The agency meticulously evaluated
flooding and stormwater concerns associated with the Property and the Project
prior to issuing the Permit.
A-0285-23 16 II.
We next address Alliance's claim that NJDEP failed to consider the
presence of the bald eagle and other wildlife at the Property in issuing the
Permit. Alliance further contends NJDEP was required to conduct a formal bird
survey of the Property. We reject these arguments.
After receiving information from Alliance regarding a bald eagle sighting
near the Property, NJDEP determined bald eagle sightings only needed to be
addressed in relation to wetlands resource values. NJDEP further explained "for
other species including great blue heron, [S]avannah sparrow, American kestrel,
and grasshopper sparrow," the wetlands resource value was irrelevant because,
at the time, "these species are either not threatened/endangered or not considered
freshwater wetland species under the Freshwater Wetland Protection Act rules ."
Regarding Alliance's bald eagle concerns, NJDEP stated:
Even with the accepted bald eagle sighting records, the . . . [P]roperty would not be valued, or documented, for bald eagle foraging by the next version of Landscape Project Mapping. The Program reached out to Fish and Wildlife to ascertain whether the accepted eagle sightings would result in a change to mapping. Fish and Wildlife noted that this area would not be documented as bald eagle foraging habitat under the future version of mapping because valuation for mapping of bald eagle foraging require[s] waterbodies greater than 8 hectares (Peterson 1986). The wet detention basin in the center of the [P]roperty (1.8
A-0285-23 17 hectares) along with the wet detention basin along the western side of the site (2.1 hectares) only equal a combined 3.9 hectares of open water on the [P]roperty. As a result, lack of Landscape documentation for bald eagle foraging now and in the future further supports an intermediate resource value classification of the wetlands on site.
Regarding Alliance's claim NJDEP should have required a formal wildlife
survey, under the Rules, NJDEP reviews design and construction standards
affecting a present or documented habitat for threatened or endangered species.
See N.J.A.C. 7:13-11.6. The Rules set forth when a survey or habitat assessment
for endangered or threatened species is required. Under N.J.A.C. 7:13-11.6(e):
The Department shall require a survey and/or a habitat assessment for threatened or endangered species as part of an environmental report, as described at N.J.A.C. 7:13-18.8(b), for an individual permit for any regulated activity which is likely to do either of the following:
1. Disturb an area known to contain a threatened or endangered species; or
2. Disturb any habitat that could support a threatened or endangered species.
Here, Johnson and Langan provided NJDEP with sufficient credible
evidence supporting the agency's determination that the Property is not located
within the buffer zone of a bald eagle's nest. Alliance conceded its bald eagle
sighting was about a mile from the Property and, therefore, outside the buffer
A-0285-23 18 zone for a bald eagle habitat. Additionally, there is ample credible evidence in
the record that the habitats on the Property are too small for bald eagle foraging.
Further, because the Property lacks significant wetlands resources per the LOI
to support a habitat for endangered or threatened species, N.J.A.C. 7:13-11.6(e)
is inapplicable and a survey was not required.
On this detailed record, we are satisfied NJDEP adequately considered the
information provided by Alliance and reached a conclusion regarding
endangered and threatened species that was amply and appropriately supported.
See R. 2:11-3(e)(1)(D).
To the extent we have not addressed any of Alliance's remaining
arguments, the arguments lack sufficient merit to warrant discussion. R. 2:11-
3(e)(1)(E).
Affirmed.
A-0285-23 19